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Impulse control disorders in parkinson’s disease

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Abstract

There is an increasing awareness that impulse control disorders (ICDs), including pathologic gambling and compulsive sexual behavior, can occur as a complication of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Anecdotal experience and case reporting have suggested an association between ICDs in PD and the use of dopamine agonists. Lacking established treatments for ICDs in PD, clinical management should initially consist of modifications to or discontinuation of dopamine replacement therapy, particularly dopamine agonists. It is important that PD patients be aware that dopamine agonist use may lead to the development of an ICD, and that clinicians monitor patients as part of routine clinical care. As empirically validated treatments for ICDs are emerging, it will be important to examine their efficacy and tolerability in individuals with co-occurring PD and ICDs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Room 3003, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Daniel Weintraub MD

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  1. Daniel Weintraub MD
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  2. Marc N. Potenza MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Daniel Weintraub MD.

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Weintraub, D., Potenza, M.N. Impulse control disorders in parkinson’s disease. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 6, 302–306 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-006-0022-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-006-0022-y

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